Chapter 152: Chapter 137, Blame_2

“I didn’t either,” Wentao quickly made his position clear.

Seeing that everyone was looking at him, Yan Wenxiu paused for a moment, “I’m not blaming my older sister. As a brother, however, I still want to say a few words to her.”

Daohua glanced over, her voice tinged with sarcasm, “Are you saying I lack manners, big brother?”

Seeing Daohua react this way, Yan Wenxiu frowned, “I know my older sister is naturally unsophisticated, but after all, the Little Prince is the Little Prince; when you associate with him, you can’t treat him as an ordinary friend.”

“If you fall out with an ordinary friend, the worst is you stop associating with each other in the future. But the Little Prince… his power is enough to easily destroy everything the Yan Family has built.”

Daohua let out a scoff and stood up, “Xiao Yeyang and I have been interacting this way since we met. If big brother thinks it’s wrong, why didn’t you say anything the first time Xiao Yeyang visited our house, or when we were at Xiangxia Mountain before?”

Yan Wenxiu contorted his brows, still not sure how to respond, when he heard Yan Zhigao speak up, “Wenxiu is right, you are indeed too frivolous.”

“Xiao Yeyang… you are referring to the Little Prince by his given name; how can you do that? I’ve been meaning to warn you about this for a long time!”

Daohua turned to face her stepfather, “Then why didn’t Father say it sooner?” After speaking, she looked around the room with a mocking expression, “When Xiao Yeyang and I were on good terms and could bring you benefits, even if I did something wrong, you all could overlook it.”

“Now that I’ve offended Xiao Yeyang and damaged your interests, you want to come and hold me accountable?”

Upon hearing this, Yan Zhigao became furious, “How dare you! Whom are you speaking to like this?”

Seeing Yan Zhigao getting terribly angry, Madam Li hurriedly pulled Daohua behind her, “Master, if you need to discipline your daughter, just speak calmly. Is there really a need for such harsh words?”

Yan Zhigao restrained himself in front of his mother-in-law, but since Madam Li was his wife, he had no such reservations, “A doting mother often leads to a spoiled child. If it weren’t for your lack of discipline, how could this girl become so lawless? In this regard, you truly are not as good as the Lin Family—look how demure and graceful Yiyi is raised.”

Upon hearing these words, Madam Li’s face instantly turned snow-white.

Daohua felt angry in her heart, stood up directly and said, “Father, have you any right to say that? In the entire Yan Family, isn’t it my mother who’s helping you manage everything? And what about your favored concubine? Aside from pleasing and serving you every day, what else has she done for this family? Father, one mustn’t be heartless!”

“How dare you!”

Accused by his daughter in such a manner, Yan Zhigao couldn’t contain his embarrassment and raised his hand to strike Daohua.

“Master!”

Seeing this, Madam Li immediately threw herself forward, grabbing Yan Zhigao’s hand tightly and refusing to let go.

Daohua saw her stepfather about to hit her again and, fuming with rage, with reddening eyes stepped forward, looked up, and let out a cold laugh, “Father, go ahead and hit me. It seems that’s all you can do to vent your anger—strike your own children.”

“You…”

Yan Zhigao was so angered he couldn’t speak, and as his hand was tightly grasped, he found himself unable to strike.

“Is it because you think the old lady has been living too comfortably that you’re forcing me to die?” The old lady slammed the table fiercely, her breaths rising and falling with her anger.

Seeing the old lady so furiously upset, everyone became quiet.

Yan Zhigao and Madam Li quickly knelt down, and the others did the same.

“Get out, all of you, get out!”

The old lady calmed her agitated emotions and waved her hand wearily.

Yan Zhigao wanted to say something, but the old lady ignored him, “I don’t want to see any of you; just leave.”

With that, the others slowly made their way out.

Only when everyone was gone did Daohua get up from the ground, sit on the step, and lean into the old lady’s arms, “Grandmother, I want to go back to my hometown. I don’t want to stay here anymore.”

The old lady wanted to scold her granddaughter, but seeing her red-rimmed eyes, she eventually let out a sigh, “You silly girl, who did you inherit this temper from? Don’t you know how to speak softly?”

Daohua sniffled, “If I’m not wrong, why should I back down? If I give in once, the next time they will use various reasons to pressure me again. Am I supposed to bow my head every time? Living so oppressively, what’s the purpose of such a life?”

“You…” The old lady tapped Daohua’s head, “Where did you learn all this rebellious talk? How can you, a junior, oppose your elders like this?”

Daohua fell silent for a moment, “They are elders, true, but does being an elder mean they can’t make mistakes? If they do, does it mean they can’t be criticized? Respecting elders is right, but surely the elders need to behave like elders first.”

The old lady choked up and shook her head, “Enough, enough, I can’t argue with you. Just remember, when you marry, you will need the support of your parental home.”

“Even if you have grievances against your father or brothers, keep them to yourself; why insist on openly opposing them? Why make life uncomfortable for yourself?”

Daohua pursed her lips, “Reliance on mountains brings landslides, reliance on people brings disappointment. I’ve understood this now; the only one I can rely on is myself.”

On hearing this, the old lady couldn’t help but give Daohua’s head a hard knock, “Rely on yourself? How will you do that? Even if you can earn money, do you think that’s enough to stand on your own in this world?”

“Girl, your grandfather died early, you don’t know how many cold stares and gossips your grandmother had to endure. Society is harsh on women; even if you shut the door to live your own life, you will still attract a bad reputation.”

“Why do you think wealthy merchants still struggle? Isn’t it because they have no backing? What, do you think you’re more capable than those merchants?”

Daohua’s face fell, “Why is it so hard to live the life I want to live?”

The old lady sighed, “Who has an easy life?” After saying this, she thought for a moment and continued,

“Your father may have many faults, but in the end, he has provided you with a secure home. Under his protection, no riffraff would dare to bully you. In the future, speak more courteously to him!”

“He is a man of authority, used to flattery from others. By opposing him openly like this, aren’t you clearly pushing him towards Shuangxin Courtyard?”

Daohua bit her lip and said nothing.

She knew that for her grandmother to speak to her in such a way, it meant she was truly cherished.

“Grandmother, I want to sleep with you tonight!”

The old lady said in annoyance, “You girl, still like when you were little—as soon as things don’t go your way, you scramble into the old lady’s bed…”